Card Shuffler and dealer

ABSTRACT

THE CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is a mechanical devise which shuffles and deals playing cards to two to four players. By rotating the handle of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER counter clockwise, the internal mechanism is able to shuffle and deal out the proper number of cards to each player.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Many millions of people universally play card games such as bridge, poker, rummy, etc. The cards must be shuffled and dealt to the appropriate number of players. This invention allows cards to be shuffled and the players to be dealt the appropriate number of cards for the game they are playing. This invention is directed for home usage and not meant to compete with complex expensive dealing machines found at gambling establishment.

CURRENT US CLASS: FIELD OF SEARCH 4807884 February 1989 Breeder 0042673 March 2003 Grauzer 0094756 May 2003 Grauzer 0017481 February 2002 Johnson  665960 December 2003 Blaha 6299167 October 2001 Sines 5445377 August 1995 Steinback 3944230 March 1976 Fineman 4513969 April 1985 Samsel 5356145 October 1994 Verschoor 5575475 November 1996 Steinback 6659461 December 2003 Yoseloff 7261294 August 2003 Grauzer 6117012 September 2000 McCrea

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Card games are a world wide phenomenon. The CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER shuffles a deck of cards and deals out the appropriate number of cards to each of four players. The CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is designed to be produced relatively inexpensively.

With a full turn of the handle, four cards are dealt into four receiving baskets. In seven card RUMMY with four players, the handle will be turned seven times.

The CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is most suited for the game of BRIDGE, HEARTS, and other card games in which all the cards are dealt out to four players. All the cards are dealt after thirteen turns of the handle. After the game, the cards are collected in random order and placed into the opening on the side of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER between the card holder and the roller, and a new game is begun.

BRIEF DESCRIPTIONS OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 displays the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER. At the top of the invention is a handle (3) to which is attached four basket struts (2). The basket struts (2) in turn are attached to the catch basket (4). The catch basket(4) and its basket struts (2) surrounds the shell (5). At the lower side of the shell (5) is the card dealer opening. (1).

FIG. 2 views the the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER from the top, showing the handle (3), the shell (5), the basket struts (2) and and the catch basket (4)

FIG. 3 views the the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER from the bottom and shows the base of the shell (5) and the bottom of the catch basket (4). The shell (5) has a base diameter of 6 inches and the catch basket (4) a diameter of 8 inches.

FIG. 4 shows the internal mechanism of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER, comprised of the large horizontal gear (6), vertical gear A (11), vertical gear B (12), the roller (7), a card holder box (9), a spring (10) that pushes the floor of the card holder box (9) upward toward the roller (7) and a removable front plate (8) which when in place, permits only one card to be pushed out into the catch basket (4) every 90 degree turn of the handle. The handle (3) is prevented to turn clockwise by a ratchet mechanism (16) located at the bottom of the handle shaft (14)

FIG. 5 of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is a closeup of the front plate (8) that clips onto the sides of the card holder box (9). The front plate (8) is removed by pulling it straight off and can be easily replaced, being held by catch clips (13).

FIG. 6 of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER shows the the the card holder box (9) just behind the front plate (8) [not shown]. The movable card holder box floor (14) which is hinged at the back of the card holder box (9) has a spring (10) pushing the card holder box floor (14) upward, so that the roller (7) [not shown] presses on to the top card.

FIG. 7 of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER shows the ratchet mechanism (16), preventing the handle shaft (14) from turning clockwise.

FIG. 8 of the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER shows the card dealer opening (1) with the front plate (8) and the roller (7) behind the opening.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

Referring to [FIG. 1], the CARD SHUFFLER AND DEALER is composed of the following parts. A supporting shell (5), and a rotating catch basket (4) attached to the handle (3) by four basket struts (2) that hug the shell (5). The catch basket (4) rotates around the shell as the handle is turned. One full rotation of the handle counter clockwise turns the basket struts (2) and, in turn, the catch basket (4) likewise turns a full rotation. A ratchet mechanism (16) prevents the handle (3) from being turned clockwise [FIG. 7].

Turning the handle (3) counter clockwise also turns the handle shaft (14) [FIG. 4] which rotates the large horizontal gear (6) at the base of the shell (5). The large horizontal gear (6) turns vertical gear A (11) counter clockwise which, in turn rotates vertical gear B (12) clockwise. The shaft of vertical gear B (12) turns the roller (7) clockwise. The ratio of the large horizontal gear (6) to vertical gear B (11) and vertical gear A (12) is four to one. Thus, one full, turn of the large horizontal gear (6) rotates vertical gear A (11) and vertical gear B (12) four full turns.

A deck of cards is placed through the card dealer opening (1) [FIG. 1] while the front plate (8) is off. [FIG. 6]. After the deck of card is in place between the roller (7) and the floor of the card holder box (14), the front plate (8) is replaced. The floor of the card holder box (14) is movable as it is attached to the back of the card holder box (9) by a hinge (15) [FIG. 6]. The spring (10) pushes the floor of the card holder box (14) upward. The card dealer opening (1) is located on the lower portion of the shell (5) in which a portion of the roller (7) and the front plate (8) can be seen [FIG. 8].

The card game proceeds as follows: The front plate (8) is removed. A deck of cards is inserted between the roller (7) and the floor of the card holder box (14). The front plate (8) is then replaced. The handle (3) is rotated counter clockwise, turning the basket struts (2) and the catch basket (4), in a similar direction. The handle (3) is prevented to turn clockwise by a ratchet mechanism (16). [FIG. 7]. As the handle (3) turns, the handle shaft (14) rotates the large horizontal gear (6) and in turn, vertical gear A (11) counter clockwise. Vertical gear B (12) is the turned clockwise, as is the roller (7), pushing out the top card into the catch basket (4). As the catch basket (4) rotates a full turn, four cards are deposited into the catch basket (4). After thirteen turns of the handle (3), all the cards are shuffled out. The cards are distributed to the players, and the game begins. After the game, all the cards are collected in a random fashion and replaced into the card holder box (14). 

1-3. (canceled)
 4. Apparatus for use in shuffling a deck of cards and dealing out four separate playing cards hand comprising of a bullet shaped outer shell, surrounded by a counter clockwise rotating carrossel which turns by rotating a handle located at the top of the shell and in which one turn of three hundred and sixty degrees deals out one card into each of four different baskets located on the carrossel and in which a ratchet mechanism prevents the handle from being turned clockwise.
 5. Apparatus according to claim 4 internally uses rollers and gears, which are turned by rotating the said handle, to shuffle the deck of cards and distribute the playing hands of cards into the rotating basket.
 6. Apparatus according to claims 4 and 5 is designed to deal out four hands of cards used in games such as “Bridge” or “Hearts” in which thirteen cards are delt onto said rotating baskets for four separate players by turning the said handle three hundred and sixty degrees thirteen times and following the completion of the game, the deck of cards are reinserted into a card holder box, internally located in the said apparatus in order to again reshuffle and redeal the cards for the next game of cards. 